For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and Mike discuss Rick Perry’s indictment. Slate Plus members get an ad-free version of this podcast with bonus segments. Visit slate.com/gabfestplus and try it free for two weeks.

On this week’s Slate Political Gabfest, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and Mike Pesca discuss the aftermath of Ferguson, James Foley’s brutal execution at the hands of ISIS, and L.A.’s cash-for-votes lottery.

Here are some of the links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

Some protesters and supporters of the Brown family are skeptical that St. Louis prosecutor Robert McCulloch can conduct a fair investigation. McCulloch is widely viewed as friendly toward the police—his prosecutorial record, statements on the conduct of Ferguson officers, and family ties to law enforcement suggest sympathy for police.

The FBI’s Uniform Crime Report highlights justified killings by police officers in annual reports. On the other hand, the bureau classifies unjustified killings as crimes, making them immeasurable with data currently available.

Two St. Louis police officers shot and killed 25-year-old Kajieme Powell this week. After the police department released a video of the shooting, some media outlets noted that the video didn’t match the officers’ accounts of the incident.

Sen. Rand Paul penned an op-ed railing against the militarization of police.

In response to protests and police activity in Ferguson, some cops are asking people to back off during encounters with law enforcement.

The legal defense nonprofit ArchCity Defenders found last year that the Ferguson Municipal Court disposed of 24,532 warrants, or approximately three warrants per household.

After being held for more than two years by ISIS, American journalist James Foley was brutally beheaded this week by his terrorist kidnappers. The news broke after ISIS released a gruesome video of the execution.

Since 2008, European governments have shelled out millions in backdoor hostage exchanges with terrorists.

David Rohde, who was kidnapped in Afghanistan, wrote that the U.S. and Europe need consistent policies for dealing with kidnappings in order to deter terrorists.

In its rampage across the Middle East, ISIS has seized millions of dollars.

ISIS is utilizing modern video production and social media distribution techniques to attract online audiences.

The city is considering a cash-prize lottery to bring people to the polls.

Weather can keep voters home. The New York Timescites anonymous sources that speculate that the chilly 59-degree weather discouraged voting. Two weeks ago, Hawaii’s Democratic primary was bracketed by two separate hurricanes, which many feared would suppress turnout.

March 3 2015 1:39 PMThe “Most Pleasurable Portrayal of Libertarianism“ Bonus SegmentDavid, Emily, and John discuss what Parks and Recreation got right about government.Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson